A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Ἄρειος), or ARIUS, a citizen of Alexandria, a Pythagorean or Stoic philosopher in the time of Augustus, who esteemed him so highly, that after the conquest of Alexandria, he declared that he spared the city chiefly for the sake of Arcius. (Plut. Ant. 80, Apophth. p. 207; D. C. 51.16; Julian. Epist. 51; comp. Strab. xiv. p.670.) Areius as well as his two sons, Dionysius and Nicanor, are said to have instructed Augustus in philosophy. (Suet. Aug. 89.) He is frequently mentioned by Themistius, who says that Augustus valued him not less than Agrippa. (Themist. Orat. v. p. 63d. viii. p. 108b. x. p. 130b. xiii. p. 173c. ed. Petav. 1684.) From Quintilian (2.15.36, 3.1.16) it appears, that Areius also taught or wrote on rhetoric. (Comp. Senec. consol. ad Marc. 4; Aelian, Ael. VH 12.25; Suid. s. v. Θέων.)

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